At our local forest preserve, we have a bunch of small bridges that aid the hiker in accessing parts of the path that become muddy, slushy and hard to access in inclement weather, basically Illinois weather. Hiking boots and dogs alike pay the price in the areas that do not have such amenities.
Blame game
Taking this a step further. As a result, I have stopped walking in a certain part of my favorite preserve. I’m not a fan of washing my dog daily. Do I blame the preserve for this? I suppose I could write letters, campaign, get upset. On the other hand, I can just walk in different areas and avoid the mud and slime.
When God asked man to divulge his secrets, man shifted the blame to the one whom he recognized as,
This one, at last, is bone of my bone
and flesh of my flesh;
this one will be called “woman,”
for she was taken from man. Genesis 2:23 HCSB
They were one. Yet sin broke community and he built a wall with his “bone and flesh.” Next, he erected a wall with one who gave him such community and gifts. He blamed God for his steps into brokenness and shame.
12 Then the man replied, “The woman You gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12 HCSB
Hell destroys bridges
I am becoming more and more convinced of this truth. Hell says, people are not to be trusted; community cannot be found ; “did God really say?” doubt God’s goodness.
On the other hand, when we humble our life to God, he comes to us. Specifically, his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection redeems and restores bridges. For that reason, if we stand at one edge wondering, listening to the lies, my friend, God is in the business of building bridges.
Reconciling
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things[k] have come. 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 HCSB
The word, reconciliation (katallaxantos), means to change, exchange. 2644 katallássō (from 2596 /katá, “down to an exact point,” intensifying 236 /allássō, “to change”) – properly, decisively change, as when two parties reconcile when coming (“changing”) to the same position.
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God changed our position so we can be in relationship with him through Christ, requiring us to be IN Christ. In other words, bridge building begins with us laying the first plank of wood and saying yes to him. Immediately, God lays the rest of the bridge down, runs, and wraps his arms around us.
Our commission
In short, according to 2 Corinthians, we have the ministry and message of reconciliation. We share this truth with everyone we know. We build bridges, share the truth and light the fires. You are commissioned to be the bridge.
Peace.
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